Maryland files $157 million counterclaim vs. ACC

Published: January 15, 2014 4:00AM

ASSOCIATED PRESS

COLLEGE

Maryland files $157 million counterclaim against ACC

COLLEGE PARK, Md. -- The University of Maryland has filed a $157 million counterclaim against the Atlantic Coast Conference, alleging the league tried to recruit two Big Ten schools after Maryland announced its intention to leave for the Big Ten.

The 53-page document was filed late Monday in Raleigh, N.C. It does not name the two schools allegedly targeted by the ACC.

The counterclaim contends that representatives from Wake Forest and Pittsburgh "each contacted a Big Ten university in an attempt by the ACC to recruit at least two Big Ten schools."

Maryland is also asking the ACC to pay $16 million the school says has been improperly withheld since November 2012, when Maryland announced it was leaving for the Big Ten.

UConn president takes issue with coach's comment

STORRS, Conn. -- The president of the University of Connecticut is taking issue with public comments from a member of the school's new football staff.

Ernest Jones, hired as a running backs coach and director of player engagement, told The Hartford Courant in a story published Saturday that he and others are going to make sure UConn's players understand that, "Jesus Christ should be in the center of our huddle."

President Susan Herbst said in a statement Tuesday that all students must feel welcome and employees at the public school cannot appear to endorse any particular religion.

She says Athletic Director Warde Manuel and new football coach Bob Diaco agree, and have made that clear to the staff.

BALTIMORE -- Outfielder Delmon Young and the Baltimore Orioles have agreed to a minor league contract.

Young split time with Philadelphia and Tampa Bay last season, hitting a combined .260 with 11 homers and 38 RBIs in 103 games.

The 28-year-old, who will report to big league training camp, has played eight seasons in the majors. His best season was in 2010, when he batted .298 with 21 homers and 112 RBI in 153 games for Minnesota.

He has a career batting average of .261, including .303 against left-handed pitchers.

Young could serve as the right-handed designated hitter, a role filled last year by Danny Valencia, who was traded to Kansas City last month.

ChiSox, Omogrosso come to terms

CHICAGO -- The Chicago White Sox have agreed to a minor league contract with pitcher Brian Omogrosso.

The right-hander appeared in 12 games last season with the White Sox, allowing 17 earned runs in 16 1-3 innings. He also made 10 appearances for Triple-A Charlotte.

The White Sox announced the move on Tuesday.

Reds ink minors deal with Francis

CINCINNATI -- The Reds have agreed to a minor league deal with left-hander Jeff Francis, who pitched in their farm system during the 2012 season.

The 33-year-old starter split time between the rotation and the bullpen for Colorado last season. He made 12 starts and 11 relief appearances, going 3-5 with a 6.27 earned run average.

The Rockies made him a first-round pick -- the ninth overall -- in the June 2002 amateur draft. He has a career record of 70-78 with a 4.94 ERA. He pitched for Colorado in all but the 2011 season, when he was 6-16 with a 4.82 ERA in 31 starts with Kansas City.

SOCCER

Columbus gets player, first-round pick from L.A.

COLUMBUS -- The Columbus Crew have acquired midfielder Hector Jimenez and a first-round pick in the MLS draft from the L.A. Galaxy for the Crew's second-round pick and allocation money.

The first-round pick is 14th overall, while the selection sent to the Galaxy is the 23rd. The draft is Thursday.

The 25-year-old Jimenez has played in 43 games in three seasons with the Galaxy. Last year he had three goals and four assists in 26 appearances.

On Monday, the Crew acquired the rights to defender Michael Parkhurst from the New England Revolution for the Crew's first-round selection (fourth overall) in the draft and more allocation money.

BASKETBALL

San Antonio's WNBA team has Stars in its eyes

SAN ANTONIO -- San Antonio's WNBA franchise is changing its name from the Silver Stars to the Stars.

The team will be playing its 12th season in the city and felt dropping the Silver from the nickname would make for a cleaner look.

One of the league's original eight teams, the franchise was founded in 1997 as the Utah Starzz. The team moved to San Antonio in 2003 and was rebranded the Silver Stars with the black-and-silver motif of its owners, the San Antonio Spurs of the NBA.

ICE HOCKEY

Jackets send Prout to Springfield

COLUMBUS -- The Columbus Blue Jackets have assigned defenseman Dalton Prout to their American Hockey League affiliate in Springfield, Mass. on Tuesday.

The 23-year-old Prout has two assists, 31 penalty minutes and 41 blocked shots in 25 games with Columbus this season.

FOOTBALL

N.Y. Giants name McAdoo off. coord.

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- Green Bay Packers quarterback coach Ben McAdoo has been hired as the New York Giants offensive coordinator.

The Giants announced the hiring Tuesday evening after a quick two-week search.

McAdoo replaces Kevin Gilbride, who retired after a disappointing season where the offense underperformed. During his tenure as coordinator the Giants won two Super Bowls.

The Giants interviewed four candidates in their search. Former Giants quarterbacks coach and recent Tampa Bay offensive coordinator Mike Sullivan was considered the early favorite.

New York also interviewed former Tennessee Titans offensive coordinator Dowell Loggains and former Houston Texans quarterbacks coach and UCLA coach Karl Dorrell.